The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Incomes of Freelance Classical Musicians in Austria

Abstract

AbstractIn this contribution, we highlight the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on classical freelance musicians in Austria. We have conducted a broad online survey with 1777 respondents, who answered questions on their absolute and relative income losses. Almost all musicians had pandemic-related income losses, but classical musicians suffered less compared to other music genres, since they more often combine a freelance music activity with a fixed-term occupation in orchestras and other music ensembles as well as in music teaching. By introducing gender in the analysis, the pandemic has so far had a different impact on the income situation of women and men. Since female classical musicians already earned less than men in the pre-pandemic years, their absolute income loss appeared to be moderate. If we look closer, however, the pandemic-related measures also had a devastating impact on the revenue streams of female musicians. In relative terms, they often lost more than men. Nevertheless, female classical musicians were better off than women working in popular music genres.